Delegates from across Africa have gathered in Uganda for the Technical Committee Meetings of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) ahead of the upcoming Plenipotentiary Conference. The meetings officially opened with a warm welcome from Nyombi Thembo, the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), who greeted participants in what he described as the true Ugandan spirit of hospitality.
In his remarks, Thembo told delegates that their presence in Uganda demonstrates Africa’s collective commitment to strengthening and modernizing the continent’s postal sector. He noted that despite rapid technological changes, postal services continue to play a major role in global communication, trade, and public service delivery.
He explained that worldwide, postal networks remain one of the most important public service infrastructures. According to him, the sector employs millions of people and supports trade valued at more than 400 billion US dollars, largely driven by the growth of e-commerce and parcel delivery services. This shows that postal systems remain critical in connecting businesses and consumers in today’s digital economy.
Thembo further highlighted the importance of postal services within Africa. He revealed that the continent processes more than one billion postal items every year, which proves that the sector is still very relevant. Beyond delivering letters and parcels, strong postal networks help small businesses expand, connect rural communities to markets, and support national economies as countries move deeper into the digital age.
He described the Technical Committee meetings as a vital stage in shaping the future of the Union. According to him, the committees serve as “the engine of policy development” within PAPU, since they provide a platform where experts and representatives can discuss ideas and develop practical policies. These policies will later guide key decisions during the Plenipotentiary Conference.
Thembo also emphasized the significance of the upcoming Ministerial Round Table and the Plenary Session. He stressed that leadership at all levels must remain actively involved in ensuring that postal services are recognized as important drivers of Africa’s digital economy and regional integration.
Reflecting on Uganda’s role within the Union, Thembo noted that the country has proudly served as Assistant Secretary General of PAPU through Jessica Hope Ssengooba during the closing term. He said Uganda has contributed significantly to efforts aimed at modernizing postal services and strengthening cooperation among African countries.
Speaking about Ssengooba’s candidature for re-election, Thembo called for continuity in the Union’s leadership. He told delegates that strong and effective teams are not easy to build, adding that maintaining experienced leadership can help sustain the progress already made in transforming Africa’s postal sector.
The meetings are expected to generate key recommendations that will help shape future postal policies across Africa, with the aim of improving services, supporting businesses, and strengthening regional connectivity.
